November 29, 2007 by Administrator.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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November 13, 2007 by Administrator.

“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 NASB 

God really laid this verse on my heart this morning. Sometimes “the right thing to do” is to just repent. Whenever I find myself wallowing in my flesh, I continue to do so until the booming voice of God calls out the error of my ways. Then I thought, “When I know that I’m wrong, why do I keep trying to gratify my flesh? Don’t wait for God to have to chase me down and chasten me. JUST STOP! Stop now! Repent here and now.” When I know gossiping is wrong, repent now. When I know pride is wrong, confess now. When I see selfishness consuming me, cry out now. Don’t wait and wallow, stop now. On several occasions in the past I have been driving and when I pull up to a stop sign, I focus on the word “stop”. Crazy as it may seem, but I feel God’s finger pointing at the various sins in my life. And I think, “What have I been doing? I need to stop trying to live for myself when all the while I know that You are the only thing worth living for.” Don’t wait for the next stop sign… stop now.

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November 3, 2007 by Administrator.

A week ago I was very distressed. I tossed and turned in my hotel bed, but my mind continued to be troubled. I recited Scripture and prayed, but there was no peace. Quietly as I could, I leaned over and opened the night-stand cabinet next to me. I stuck my hand into the dark hole. I felt around and then my hand landed on a hardback Bible placed in there by the Gideons. I smiled in the darkness and said, “Thank you God for the Gideons.” I slipped away silently and opened His Word. The pages landed in the book of Psalms. I continued to read until my very breath was taken away by what I read. Psalm 143:8 left me speechless:

Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.

It was refreshing to think upon the Lord’s lovingkindness rather than my concerns. It was wonderful be reminded that my life and my soul were in His hands. I needed His direction and I needed His mercy. After a peaceful night of rest, I reflected upon the graciousness and sovereignty of our God. He directed someone (perhaps years ago) to place that Bible in that very cabinet. He guided my hand in a time of worry to find that Bible. He guided those pages to open to the very chapters He wanted me to read. How marvelous is our God! His Spirit spoke powerfully to me through one verse. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

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